Israelis and Palestinians finally meet again

Euronews

International mediators have accompanied Israeli and Palestinian officials as they met for the first time in over a year.

The get-together took place in Jordan as the two sides try to revive their stalled peace talks, although neither was optimistic of ending 14 months of deadlock.

The main result, according to Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh was an agreement to meet again next week:

“Doctor Erekat, on behalf of Palestinian delegation submitted the Palestinians’ proposals on borders and security. This was the first time that he actually submitted it to the Israeli side and the first time the Israeli side received them.”

Negotiations foundered in 2010 after Israel refused to renew a partial freeze on Jewish settlement in the West Bank, as demanded by the Palestinians.

Although no nearer to finding a compromise, the priority for both is to avoid being blamed for not trying.